David "Red Beard" Phillips, of Danville, leans against the counter, sketching a tattoo design on a piece of paper. He touches his red beard (hence the shop's name), which hasn't been cut since 1997 or trimmed since 2001. His customer stands on the other side, tapping his foot as he waits.

The phone rings, and Phillips, with a fake Scottish accent, yells at it before picking up.

There are some inherent dangers to summer that can halt plans of fun in the sun. From skin cancer to insect bites, summertime can be dangerous for those who don't play it safe.

With a greater number of people out and about enjoying the warm weather, the risk for accidents and injuries increases. The National Safe Kids Campaign says statistics indicate children will be rushed to emergency rooms around the country nearly three million times this summer. Higher rates of drowning, motor vehicle accidents and bicycle injuries occur this time of year.

The Marion County Board of Education has scheduled a special-called meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, at the school board office, 755 E. Main Street in Lebanon.

The items on the agenda include student drug testing, the job description for director of pupil personnel and food services, goals for the new superintendent for the 2011-12 school year, and minutes of the previous school board meeting.

New Marion County Superintendent Chuck Hamilton officially took over the position July 1.

The Lebanon Tourist and Convention Commission has scheduled a special-called meeting at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, in Room 300 of the Centre Square Convention Center. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the 14 suggestions presented to the commission by the city council in May.

A possible arson caused some damage to the Cozy Corner Tavern in Loretto Thursday morning. The Kentucky State Police and the Kentucky State Fire Marshal's Office are conducting an investigation.
The building is still usable, but it may need some cleaning and renovation.
"The building's not ruined by no means," Loretto Fire Chief Tommy Hamilton said, "but there is an accelerant smell inside the building and some fire damage."

Patricia Ann Moddrelle, 78, of Gravel Switch was found deceased around 5 p.m. Wednesday, according the Kentucky State Police. She was found approximately three miles from her home in a dry creek bed off of Kentucky Highway 243.

According to the state police, Moddrelle had driven off the road and into a heavily wooded area, and the police found no evidence that she took action to avoid the incident. At the scene, Boyle County Coroner Dr. Don Hammer pronounced Moddrelle had died of natural causes.

Are you searching for your roots? The Marion County Public Library is blessed to have a well-stocked genealogy room on its premises. If you've not been in the genealogy room, allow me a moment to tell you about its contents, uses and how you can help out other researchers.